Dorfer



(No Model.)

=J. HOFFMAN.

. LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDER. 'No. 261.454. Patented July 18, 18 82.

n PETERS. Phmol thographer, Wzahirlglmw n c.

UNIT ED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH HOFFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH BECKER DORFER, SAME PLACE.

LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 261,454, dated July 18, 1882.

Application filed March 14, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HOFFMAN, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lead and Crayon Holders, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to that kind of pencil or lead and crayon holder now known in the market as the automatic. The objectI have in view is to furnish the pencil with a device which will serve as a point-protector when it is desired to retain the lead projected from the end of the pencil tip or nozzle while the pencil is not in use. To this end I combine with the jaws or lead-grasping device and the instrumentality by contact with which the leadgrasping device is caused to close upon the lead a sleeve or tube constituting in effect a portion or a continuation of the handle, which is longitudinally movable with respect to the jaws or lead-grasping device in such manner thatit will not only serve as a means by which the tip or other jaw-closing instrumentality may be caused to move in a direction to permit thejaws-to open, but also as a means for covering or extending beyond the end of the lead that may project from the pencil, having for this purpose a proper movement of its own independently of the jaw closing instrumentality.

The nature of my invention and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved lead and crayon holder. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal contral section of the same with the point-protecting sleeve in the position it occupies when the lead-holdingjaws are closed and the pencil ready for'use. Fig. 3 is a like section with the parts in the position which they assume when the sleeve is retracted far enough to permit the jaws to open and release the lead. Fig. 4 is a like section with the parts in the position they occupy when the jaws still hold the lead and the sleeve is advanced far enough to'cover and protect the point of the lead. a

The main portion of the handle consists in this instance of the tubular stem A, preferably of wood, in which is inserted and held tightly the lead-containing tube B, terminatin g in the usual lead-clamping metallic jaws, a, which normally stand apart. Surrounding the front portion of that part of the tube which projects beyond the front end of the stem is the tip or nozzle 1), which serves'to compress the jaws, and for this purpose is pressed forward by a spiral spring, 0, encompassing the tube and confined between the base of the tip or nozzle and the front of the stem A. The extent to which the tip can be pressed forward is limited by a stud or lip, d, on the tube'that meets a flange, e, in the tip.

Thus far there is nothing that is essentially novel in the pencil. Its main features can be found in my reissued Patent No. 8,968, of November 18, 1879, and in PatentNo. 223,513, of January 13, 1880.-

' With the parts of the pencil above described is combined a sleeve or tube, 0, that surrounds and fits upon the tip I), and is of a length to extend back to and fit snugly upon the stem A, thus forming in effect a part or a continuation of the handle; This sleeve is capable of sliding longitudinally With reference both to the tip and to the stem. Its rearward independent movement is limited by a shoulder or swell, f, upon the exterior of the tip, with which its contracted front end comes in contact, as shown in Fig. 2. When the parts are in this position the jaws are closed, so as to grasp the lead, and the'sleeve is retracted far enough to fully uncover the point of thelead thus grasped. If the sleeve be retracted farther, it will pull back the tip against the stress of the spring, and thus allow the jaws to open and release the lead, as shown inv Fig. 3. It now the sleeve be released, the reacting spring 0 will return it and the tip to the position shown in Fig. 2.

If, when the parts are in this position, the lead is still grasped by and projects from the jaws, and it be desired to cover and protect the point of the lead, the sleeve is moved forward independently ofthe tip and the stem A to the position shown in Fig. 4, the extent of this forward movement being limited either by an internal stop, g, on the sleeve, which brings up against a suitable shoulder, h, on the tip, or by other suitable and'readily-applied mechanical instrumentalitiesforthepurpose. This arrangement, zle, and the sliding point protecting sleeve like that illustrated in the Letters Patent hereadapted to move said tip against the stress of inbefore referred to, permits the application to the spring, substantially as and for the purthe rear end of the handle of a head or tip, h, poses hereinbefore set forth.

5 of erasive rubber. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 15 Havingdescribedmyinvention,whutlelninl, my hand this 1st day of March, 1882. and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is JOSEPH HOFFMAN.

The combination of the stem, the leail-eon- \Vitnesses: mining tube and jaws or lead-grasping device 0. S. BRAISTED, o V I0 curried thereon, the spring-impelled tip or noz- JOE W. SWAINE. 

